Constructions for demountable cribs



Dec. 18, 1956 E. J. I LJKALA 2,774,081

coNsTRUcTroNs FOR DEMOUNTABLE CRIBS Filed oct. s, 1953 Q 52 56 58 B bje' I l4 1.

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'5 UK/MA BY W,

ATTORNEY kUnited States Patent 'LO coNsTRUcrloNs non DEMOUNTABLE CRIBS Eino J. Lukala, Ashbnrnham, Mass. Application october s, 1953, serial No. 384,953

12 claims. (c1. 5 99) This invention relates to new and improved demountable or separable crib constructions, and the principal object of the invention resides in the provision of a crib or the like comprising two end parts or panels, a rear wall, and a front drop side, all of these parts being quickly and easily joined together or separated Without tools, so that the crib is assembled or disassembled quickly and easily, and when assembled is strong, rm and rigid.

yAnother object of the invention resides in the provision of new and improved slide rods for the front drop side, said rods including spring-pressed pins adjacent the upper ends thereof for cooperation with receiving holes in a special new and improved tting applied to the front corner posts of the crib, or to all the corner posts if it is desired to provide a double drop side crib, the pins being very easily and quickly retracted for disassembly of the slide rods and therefore the drop side, the latter being mounted to slide on the lslide rods.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a new and improved supporting and connecting joint for the rigid rear wall of the crib, there being four of these joints, two at each end of the rear wall at the upper and lower edges thereof, said joints each comprising in general a hook-shaped member on the rear wall for insertion in an aperture in a novel plate secured to each corner post, said plate having an aperture therethrough and the corner post itself being undercut to receive the hook in such a way that by inserting the hooks in the apertures in the plates at an angle thereto and rotating the rear wall relatively to the corner posts, the hooks are fully and iirmly seated; and this forrns a firm, rigid joint for the purpose described.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter. t

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a view in front elevation of a crib according to the present invention in fully assembled condition, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view on an enlarged scale, part being in section, and illustrating the means of connecting the slide rods to the corner posts;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the connection of Fig. 2, part being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation showing a hook receiving plate on the rear corner post, looking in the direction of arrow 4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5' of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a View in elevation of one of the hooks for the rigid rear side wall, this gure being in relation to Fig. 5 for insertion of the hook;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, part being broken away, of the rear side wall;

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of a hook receiving plate on a rear corner post, looking in the direction of arrow 8in Fig. 1;

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Fig. 9 shows a modied spring-pressed pin for the slide rods; and

Fig. 10 is a section of a modified fastener.

This invention comprises two end panel members, a rigid rear wall, and a front drop side. Each end member is provided with two corner posts, the corner posts as usual being connected by either spindles or solid panels as is well known in the art. For purpose of illustration of the present invention, thesecorner posts are referred to as the front left corner post 10, the front right corner'post 12, the rear left corner post 14, and the rear right corner post 16.

Two different slide rods that'can be used are illustrated. The left-hand slide rod is indicated at 18 and it is fixed to the drop side and slidably extends through holes in brackets 19 fixed to the corner posts. The upper bracket 19 stops the downward motion of the drop side, and the lower bracket stops the upward motion thereof. The right-hand slide rod is indicated at 22 and it extends through its bracket 23, this rod being xed to the corner post. Conventional bumper springs may be applied to these slide rods. Each slide rod is detachably connected by a novel fastener to be described.

The upper-end of slide rod 22 is turned at a right angle (see Fig. l). This bend is indicated at 24 and it is provided at one side thereof with a spring-pressed pin 26 better illustrated in Fig. 3. This pin 26 is provided with an enlargement 28 received within a small lateral bore in the bent portion 24 of the slide rod. Behind this enlarged portion, there is a spring 30 tending to push pin 26 outwardly into the position of Fig. 3. The pin may be limited and held against escape by peening the edges of the bore in the rod as it is indicated at 32 or by any other well known means. The rod 18 is detachably held to rail 50 of the drop side by a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Each of the slide rods is provided with this same pin construction, but it is preferred that the pins shall extend towards the front of the crib, so that they may not be easily actuated by the occupant, and of course this requires that the pin shall appear at opposite sides of the slide rods. This construction is also usable at the rear corner posts if a double drop side crib is to be made.

The fitting for receiving the pins is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and comprises a ferrule or barrel 34 having a head or ilange 36, the head 36 having a lateral bore therein at 38 for reception of the pin 26 (see Fig. 3). The barrel or ferrule 34 is generally cylindrically hollow for reception of the bent end of the slide rod, but it has a restricted portion at one end at 40 for the reception of a fastening screw 42 in the inner end of the ferrule securing the same to the corner post, as shown, with the head 36 extending outwardly thereof. The barrel 34 may be plain or serrated as shown.

It is believed that the method of attaching and assembling the slide rods to the respective fittings will be clear from the above description. The tting of the corner post 12 is exactly like that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with the hole 38 thereof arranged to receive the pin 26 as described. A lead pencil will be suficient to depress the pin in order to remove the slide rod. When the slide rod is being inserted, the pin is held with the ringer and entered into the fitting, whereupon the pin will of course snap into the hole 38. The hole 38 and the pin 26 are too small to allow actuation by human fingers, even of infants. If desired, the pin 26 may be tapered as shown at 44 in Fig. 9, and this will provide for a wedging action more firmly locking the slide rod into the position shown in Fig. 3.

The front drop side generally indicated at 46 may be provided with the usual latching means for holding the same in the raised position of Fig. 1, and it is to be noted that 'therals ofthe. (Ironside rest on thebrackets 23 and 19 or on the springs (not shown) but above described when in the lower position'thereof, and in this position thebrfokenlineASfillustrates thev` approximate .level .0f the top rail 50 of the drop side. Y' s Y l f The rear rigid Wall oftheerils` is illustrated as provided with-a *top*` rail 52 and -a b ottomfrail-,Sh Vthese railsf being connected by `theusualrl spindles 56 orby anyother desired means. Ateach endy of both rails at the under sides thereof, theyarepprovided with in-set plates 58Y at the right-hand ends thereof and 60 at theV left-hand ends thereof. These platesare each provided with. a hook shownat. 62 infFig. 6,.and these are the same at the righthand end` thereofbut reversed as illustratedV at 64-in Fig. 7'. It will be seen thatthere are four of these hooks and that all4 are directed inwardlyofthe crib, i. e. toward the drop sisiexthereof;` f

Each of the rear corner posts 14 and 16 is provided with; a pair of spaced in-setV circular plates 66 and 68, These plates aref generally the same but are reversed and each comprises an aperture at- 70; forthe reception of the respective hooks, Vand each also has another aperture for the reception of a screw 72 for securing, the plates to their respective corner posts. rihe material. of. the corner posts to` which the plates are secured is undercut as indicated at 74, this undercut extending tozthe left at Fig. 4 and; to the right in Fig. 8, so that the respective hooks 62 and 64 may be enteredin the holes 70 and extend therethrough upon pivoting action of the endsof the crib with respectto the rigid back member 5.2, 54. When the four hooks are completely seated withinV the undercut portions 74then the hooks are supported.v in substantially rigid relation withrespect tothe-plates 66Vand 68fand the back of thecrib is therefore held in rigidtixed position, due to i the camming action of the surf-ace at 74. Agfully re-V cessed iittingV 7x5 (Fig. l0) may be pushed wholly into the respective corner posts, the hooks 62, 64 will ride upthe inclined edges78 tov be rmly wedged, inthe manner of a cam. L v f When the conventional crib spring is arranged on the crib in the; usual manner, it` willaid instrengthening and rigidifying the construction described above. However, even without such aid, the solid rigid support is suitable for cribs and the like and it may be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled without the use of any tools whatsoever with the possible exception of the common llead pencil or other small pin-like member for depressing the pins 26 whenv it is desired totake'the vslide rods fromthe corner posts 10 andlZ for dis-,assembly of the drop front.

ltwill be seen that the invention is simple and inexpensive to manufactureand it is very simple and quick to put together and take apart.

Havingthus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish .to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set VVforth in the claims, but

what I claim is: l

l. A crib construction comprising end panel members, a detachable rear wall and a front drop side, quick detachable hook joints at both the ends of the rear wall for swinging separable connection to the end panel members, a iitting on eachend panel member, a slide rod for de tachablesecurement tos each. tting, said front drop side being slidably mounted on said slide rods when the latter are. assembled to theendpanel members, and'said'drop'side tending to spread the end panels.

2. The construction'of claim l wherein said detachable joints comprise horizontal uni-planar hook-like members on the rear wall and undercut' aperturesfor the reception thereof in the end panel members, the hook-like members seating firmly against the side walls of the undercuts,and the drop sidel holding the j ointstight.

37. The construction of claim-fl wherein said detachable 'jointsy compri'sehorizontall hook-like members on the rear` wall: and 'undercut apertures for the reception' thereof Yin the end panel members, said undercut apertures being undercut Yonly in a direction to receive the hooks upon a swinging motion on a vertical axis between the rear wall and the end members.

4. A crib construction Vcomprising end panel members, a rear wall, a front drop side, detachable means connecting the rear wall to the end members, a slide rod for each end member, the drop side being slidably and detachably arranged on saidsliderods, means tov secure the slide rods to the end panel members, the latter holding the drop side in vertically Vslidable relation tothe crib', said slide rod securingmeans comprising a iittingin each end. panel member and' a laterally arranged spring-pressed snap ac- -tion pin in each drop.'rodgfondetachable connection respectively to said iitting, each fitting comprising a generally cylindrical hollow member received within a portion of each end panel member, an enlarged head on each fitting extending exteriorly of said end panel member, said head having a lateral aperture `forreception ofthe pm. Y i 5. A-. crib construction comprising end panel: members, a rearwall, a front drop side, detachable means connecting the rear wall tothe end members, a slide rod for each end member, the drop` side being slidably and detachablyarranged on said slide rods means to secure theslide rods to the end panel members, the latterholding the drop side in vertically slidable relation to the crib, said slide rod securing means comprising, a fitting in each end -panel member and a laterallyarranged spring-pressed snap` actionA pin in each drop rod for detachable connection respectively tosaid fitting, each fitting comprisinga generally cylindrical hollow member received within a portion'V of eachend` panel member-ahead on each iitting extending Vexteriorlyofy said end panel member, said headl having a lateral aperture for reception of the pin, said pin, being wedge-shaped for wedging reception in said aperture.

6. A crib comprising a pair of end panel members, a

frontend. arear corner post on eachmember, a. pair of.

plates on each` rear corner post, each said pair oi plates being mutually vertically spaced, each plate having an aperture therein,.each corner post being slantingly under.- cut in theregionl of the aperture, a rear cribl wall, a pair of horizontal hooks `at. each endl ofthe wall, the hooks being mutually vertically spaced to correspond with `the apertures, the hooks being receivable inthe apertures and bearing on the slantedundercuts upon-.a swinging motion of the rear wall relative to the end panel members, and

means-connecting the latter at the front of the crib.

7. The crib of claimo wherein said last-named means comprises a drop side, vertical guide rods therefor, and means to detachably secure theupper ends of the guide rods to the front corner posts, said securing means comprising a hollow horizontal iitting countersunk intocach front corner post, an enlarged head on each fitting located. exteriorlyof. the respective cornerl post, an aperture in each head extending iutothe interior ofthe fitting, a pin on each guide rod, a spring tendingto push the respective pins outwardly thereof, said pins vselectively iii) entering the yapertures and being retractabletherefrom.

8. A Lcrib comprising ends, a detachable rear wall, anda front drop side, a short straight vertical sliderod at each end of the drop side, means detachably securing the -rods to the drop side, and. slide rod.l guide. means secured to the end panels at the front ofy the cribv to slidably receive and guide the drop slide rods, saidk iirst-named means comprising a hollow titting in the drop side at each end of the latter, a head on each fitting,

leach head having a lateral aperture, a lateral pin on each rod adjacent the end thereof, said pins `being re-v tractable and enterable into theapertures with-the ends of the rods inthe fittings. v

9. The crib of claim. 8. including a top rail and *ak bottom rail ,for the drop side, the slide rodsV fitting loosely in vertical holes in one of the rails, the ttingsbeing located in the other rail.

10. A crib construction comprising end panel members, a detachable rear Wall and a front drop side, detachable joints at the ends of the rear wall for separable connection to the end panel members, a tting on each end panel member, a slide rod for detachable securement to each tting, said front drop side being slidably mounted on said slide rods when the latter are assembled to the end panel members, each joint comprising a hook on the rear wall and a cooperating tting in the respective end panel member, each tting having an interior surface slanted relative to the rear wall and receiving the hook and camming the same inwardly upon a pivoting motion between the rear wall and the respective end panel member.

11. A crib construction comprising end panel members, a detachable rear wall and a front drop side, detachable joints at the ends of the rear wall for separable connection to the end panel members, a itting on each end panel member, a slide rod for detachable securement to each fitting, said front drop side being slidably mounted on said slide rods when the latter are assembled to the end panel members, each joint comprising a hook on the rear wall and a cooperating tting in the respective end panel member, each fitting having an interior surface slanted relative to the rear wall and receiving the hook and camming the same inwardly upon a pivoting motion between the rear Wall and the respective end panel member and imparting a tension on the rear wall tending to swing the latter toward the front wall, the front drop side resisting the tension and holding the crib rigid.

12. The crib construction of claim 11 wherein the said tension between the rear wall and the end panel members causes an opposing tension between the drop side and the slide rods, the latter being narrow and capable of slight lateral distortion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 491,243 Franks Feb. 7, 1893 2,282,484 Kroll May 12, 1942 2,312,185 Neunberg Feb. 23, 1943 2,341,451 Landry Feb. 8, 1944 2,474,360 Jimerson June 28, 1949 2,522,001 Siegel Sept. 12, 1950 2,588,901 Weikart Mar. 1l, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 242,540 Great Britain Nov. 12, 1925 419,613 Great Britain Nov. 15, 1934 518,536 Great Britain Feb. 29, 1940 

